Our teams of Navigators engage people with multiple needs and help them to access services. We do not provide treatment services ourselves, but we help our beneficiaries to make contact with existing services and use them positively and constructively.

We fully recognise that people with multiple and complex needs have had challenging and difficult experiences. They aren’t using the services they need due to a range of different reasons. They could be barred from accessing certain services because of past behaviour or their chaotic lifestyles could mean they can’t easily fit into the requirements of services. That’s why we work with people on an individual basis, tailoring our support to the needs of that person.

Once people are stabilised, we help them to realise their goals and aspirations, whether it is reconnecting with their family, developing new skills and interests or taking up educational, volunteering or paid employment opportunities.

Referral
BFL accepts referrals from agencies working in Blackpool, from family members and also self referrals. throughout the course of the programme. People referred must be aged 18+ and live in Blackpool.

Assessment
BFL aims to work with people who have the most complex needs. All referrals received are assessed against set criteria but people must have at least two out of the four identified area of multiple need (homelessness, re-offending, substance misuse and mental health issues).
Our team will talk to the referrer, any other agencies involved with the person being referred and, ideally, that person themselves to obtain information to complete the assessment.

Engagement
Building a rapport takes compassion and perseverance. That’s why our Navigators and volunteers, many of whom have lived experience, really take the time to engage with beneficiaries.
We operate seven days a week from 7am to 11pm on an assertive outreach basis. This enables us to make contact with people where they live – even if that’s on the street – or in the community at the most appropriate time for them.

Support
The support our teams provide takes a variety of different forms. It could be accompanying a beneficiary to a health appointment, helping them to access a drug treatment programme or dealing with a benefits problem. The overall emphasis is on working alongside other agencies and support services.

Empowerment
Empowering beneficiaries to lead healthier, happier and ultimately more fulfilling lives is what we want to achieve. Once people are stable and their major problems are being addressed, we encourage them to get involved in therapeutic activities and pursue volunteering or employment opportunities.

We also want people who have been through the programme to be involved in influencing the direction of the programme and helping to deliver it as peer mentors, volunteers or paid employees.